Hello Belleville! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: A craft beer walk, a dino kids show, and a technicolor dreamcoat musical + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Neighborhood event on tap: Belleville’s annual Main Street Craft Beer Walk will happen this weekend, turning downtown into a casual beer stroll. Expect local spots along the route and a neighborhood vibe -- get all the details.
Nonprofit support grows: After losing her son, Laura Kane’s Marshmallow's HOPE has expanded to Belleville. It offers free counseling, grief therapy, and mentoring for ages 9 to 19 and adults 20 to 26 -- see the counseling details.
Summer conservation tips: With summer heat building, Illinois American Water is urging customers across Illinois to conserve. Water earlier or later, mow higher to retain moisture, and track usage with the MyWater portal -- check the water-saving tips.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Pins, pizza, and laughs: Feeling cooped up this week? Bel-Air Bowl is your easy win for low-stress fun. Thirty-two lanes, leagues if you’re feeling competitive, party setups when you’ve got a crew, and plenty of food to keep you rolling... the kind of local hang that turns a random Tuesday into a mini victory lap.
Need a quick reset: Whether you need a quick head-clearing lap, room for the kids to burn off the wiggles, or a shady spot to enjoy that iced coffee, Centennial Park makes it easy to breathe a little deeper close to home. Put it on your this-week list and thank yourself later.
Weekend yard therapy: Belleville legend Dintelmann's Nursery & Garden Center has been greening thumbs since 1891 with fruit trees, shade-friendly picks, landscape plants, soil upgrades, and actually-helpful tools, plus advice that keeps projects from going feral. When your beds need a reboot, start here and pretend you planned it all along.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🦕 Dino Kids Show @ Community Park Amphitheater (O'Fallon) | Thursday (6/25) at 10:30 AM – Got a junior dino expert at home, or just miss the days before traffic and HOA meetings? Hit the Community Park Amphitheater for Ozum, his magical drill, and a prehistoric romp with juggled eggs, vanishing fossils, and laughs. It’s free, snacks available, attention spans optional.
🧩 The Great Puzzle Race @ St. Paul United Church of Christ | Thursday (6/25) at 6:30 PM – Whether you sort by color, edge, or vibes, The Great Puzzle Race is your speed. Teams tackle brainteasers, jigsaws, and riddles, all-ages friendly, for bragging rights, family diplomacy, and the smug click of that last piece you swore was missing.
👑 Performing Princes and Princesses @ Sparger Center for Performing Arts | Friday (6/26) at 9:00 AM – Got a tiny royal who belts Disney on repeat and pirouettes through the produce aisle? This camp channels all that sparkle into creative play, singing, dancing, and make-believe, so they shine on a mini stage, and you reclaim a little living room sanity.
☕ Caffeine and Chrome @ Gateway Classic Cars of St. Louis (O'Fallon) | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – Last Saturday of the month, it is coffee, donuts, and chrome at Gateway Classic Cars. Free, family and dog friendly, with classics to ogle and folks to chat with, because nothing says adulthood like carbs, carburetors, and low-stakes bragging rights.
🛼 Toy Story Skate with Woody @ Skate City Belleville | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Relive 1995 while the kids burn energy at a Toy Story skate with Woody, Buzz's speed laps, and Andy's freeze game. Build a Forky, snap a photo with the sheriff, and cap it with a root beer float. Your knees will be fine, probably.
🎖 Liberty and Legacy Parade @ West Main Street | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – It’s lawn chair season on West Main as Belleville rolls out the Liberty and Legacy Parade, our hometown salute to America’s 250th. Expect marching bands, vintage rides, and neighbors waving like candidates, from 6th to the Campus, classic small-town sparkle.
🎭 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat @ Union United Methodist Church | Saturday (6/27) at 7:00 PM – Whether you know every lyric or just remember the coat, Union United Methodist Church stages Joseph, blending country, Elvis rock, and calypso into a technicolor singalong. It is free, family-friendly, and features Erin Piepgrass narrating, plus Jim Eckert holding court as Jacob.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Belleville report Weather forecastToday — High: 84°F — Low: 67°F — Precip: 25%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind 1 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tomorrow — High: 86°F — Low: 69°F — Precip: 71%
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 1 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 80%. This house is wildSet in an established, tree-lined neighborhood, this one-of-a-kind home delivers over 4,600 square feet of charm and flexibility. Three bedrooms and four baths pair with multiple living areas, a finished lower level, and room for a theater, gym, or game room. Outside, a private patio retreat with fire pit and lush landscaping steals the show.
Take a peek inside → |
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